As consumers navigate competing supplement claims, several key findings from rigorous research warrant attention. First, the original bioavailability claims for krill oil originated from indirect measures of efficacy rather than direct plasma measurements—a methodological limitation that inflated its perceived advantage. Second, when modern controlled trials measured omega-3 absorption directly with matched doses, krill oil showed only 9 to 30 percent higher plasma levels than traditional fish oil forms. Third and most practically, this modest absorption advantage comes at a substantial cost: krill oil typically costs five to ten times more per gram of EPA and DHA than standard fish oil supplements. For patients seeking omega-3 benefits, evidence suggests conventional fish oil offers comparable efficacy at a fraction of the price, particularly when formulated as triglycerides or when dose optimization is considered.
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